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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 693 exam-style questions, each with its mark scheme and example answers. Print it, or answer it on paper and then open the mark schemes. Or browse the questions by topic.

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3 questions · 4 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markImages Swap Remove

Identify the smallest identifiable area of a bitmap image.

[1 mark]
  • AColour depth
  • BFile size
  • CPixel
  • DResolution
Mark scheme
  • C Pixel (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is pixel.
  • A is not correct because colour depth is the number of bits used to store the colour of each pixel
  • B is not correct because file size is the amount of storage an image takes up, not an area of the image
  • D is not correct because resolution is a measure of the number of pixels in an image (such as its width × height), not the smallest identifiable area
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C Pixel

Why: Correct option; a pixel is the smallest identifiable area of a bitmap image (1).

No marks0/1

D Resolution

Why: Resolution is a measure of the number of pixels in an image, not the smallest identifiable area; no mark.

No marks0/1

A Colour depth

Why: Colour depth is the number of bits used to store each pixel's colour, not the smallest identifiable area; no mark.

2Short recall1 markSound Swap Remove

Digital sound is made up of samples.

Define the term 'bit depth'.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • The number of bits used per sample (1)

Allow bits per sample

Allow the number of bits used to record/store each sample

Do not accept the number of samples taken per second (sample rate)

Do not accept the number of bits used to store the whole sound file

Do not accept the number of levels/amplitude values a sample can take

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

The number of bits used to record each sample.

Why: States the number of bits per sample (1).

No marks0/1

The number of samples taken each second.

Why: Defines sample rate, not bit depth; do not accept.

No marks0/1

The number of amplitude values each sample can take.

Why: Gives the number of levels/amplitude values, not the number of bits per sample; do not accept.

3Explain2 marksCharacter Sets Swap Remove

ASCII uses a fixed number of bits to represent each character.

Explain one reason why ASCII uses 7 bits to represent each character.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as:

  • 7 bits give 128 different codes/combinations (1) which is enough to represent all the characters on a keyboard (1)
  • 7 bits allow 128 unique characters (1) so uppercase and lowercase letters, digits and punctuation can all be represented (1)
  • 6 bits give only 64 combinations (1) which is not enough for the number of characters on a keyboard (1)
  • A keyboard needs to represent more than 64 different characters (1) so 7 bits are needed to give the 128 combinations required (1)
  • A fixed number of 7 bits gives 128 possible codes (1) which is enough for the characters ASCII represents, so more bits are not needed (1)

For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement.

Do not accept 'because ASCII is 7-bit' or 'because 7 bits is enough' as these repeat the question without giving the number of combinations or saying what they allow.

Do not accept '7 bits give 256 characters'; 256 combinations come from 8 bits (extended ASCII).

Allow 'ASCII has 128 characters/codes' for the 128 point.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

7 bits give 128 different codes, which is enough for every letter, digit and punctuation symbol on a keyboard.

Why: Gives the point that 7 bits give 128 codes (1) and links it to the reason that this is enough for all the characters on a keyboard (1).

Some marks1/2

7 bits give 128 different combinations.

Why: Gives the point that 7 bits give 128 combinations (1) but does not say what this number of combinations allows, so the linked reason (1) is not earned.

No marks0/2

Because ASCII uses 7 bits so it can store 256 characters.

Why: Repeats the question and gives the wrong number of characters (256 is 8-bit extended ASCII), so there is no creditworthy point.

Questions by topic

2.1 Binary

Build a paper on this topic 58
Adding Binary Numbers 6 questions Binary and Hexadecimal Basics 10 questions Binary Shifts 6 questions Binary to Denary Conversion 6 questions Binary to Hexadecimal Conversion 6 questions Denary to Binary Conversion 6 questions Denary to Hexadecimal Conversion 6 questions Denary to Negative Binary Conversion 6 questions Hexadecimal to Binary Conversion 6 questions

2.2 Data representation

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Character Sets 18 questions Images 19 questions Sound 19 questions

2.3 Data storage and compression

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Compression 18 questions Units & Conversion 6 questions

3.1 Hardware

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Embedded Systems 17 questions Fetch Decode Execute Cycle 15 questions Primary Memory 15 questions Secondary Memory 15 questions Stored Program Computers 15 questions

3.2 Software

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File Management 18 questions Memory Management 16 questions Peripheral Management 11 questions Process Management 12 questions Purpose & Function of Operating Systems 17 questions Software Basics 13 questions User Management 18 questions Utility Software 19 questions

3.3 Programming languages

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Low and High Level Languages 19 questions Translators 18 questions

4.1 Networks

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Addressing 16 questions LANs & WANs 16 questions Network Speed 5 questions Packet Switching 16 questions Protocols & Layers 17 questions The Internet 16 questions Topologies 17 questions Wired Connections 17 questions Wireless Connections 18 questions

4.2 Network security

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Network Security Risks 18 questions Preventing Network Security Risks 18 questions

5.1 Environmental

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E-waste 17 questions Manufacturing Technology 19 questions

5.2 Ethical and legal

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Data Protection Act 17 questions Impact of AI 18 questions Intellectual Property 18 questions Software Licences 18 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

Build a paper on this topic 36
Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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